South Plainfield preps for plenty of challengers

Greater Middlesex Conference

WHITE DIVISION PREVIEW

South Plainfield first baseman Kristie Crilley, here catching a pop-up during a 2008 game, will help lead the Tigers offensively as they try and defend their division title. (File photo)

THE DEEP GETS DEEPER

Last year’s division race felt awfully close, but South Plainfield kind of ran away with things, winning the title by three whole games over Monroe. The White was certainly deep — Sayreville was no pushover and still finished in last — but the edgy feel may have in part been a result of a lot of dominant pitching and tight games. But the Tigers have lost just enough that they should fall back to the pack and make this year’s scramble for the crown as down-to-the-wire as last year’s seemed like it should have been.

ACES IN THE HOLE

Only two starting pitchers are back from last year’s offense-optional campaign, so we may see runs start to be back in vogue in the White. The returnees are North Brunswick’s Michelle Pietrocola and Carteret’s Kristen Mickley, both of whom pitched brilliantly but didn’t find the success they wanted. Without much run support, Pietrocola only mustered six wins, while Mickley missed some time after taking a liner off the shin. You’d think both would be pretty highly motivated for their senior seasons.

North Brunswick's Michelle Pietrocola delivers a pitch during last spring's GMCT win over Middlesex. Pietrocola is The Inner Circle's reigning Middlesex County Pitcher of the Year. (File photo)

HOLD YOUR HORSES

High school softball, like any other scholastic sport, is a constant uphill climb, and you can find our example du jour in Iselin. Two springs ago, J.F. Kennedy was a state power behind junior ace and Home News Tribune Player of the Year Heather Corica, reaching the Group III championship game before finally yielding to Kingsway. But Corica’s senior campaign was derailed by injury, the Mustangs narrowly missed the state tournament in a rollar coaster qualifying week, and long-time head coach Nancy Cuntala retired following the season. That leaves rookie skipper Maureen Gallagher and what is essentially a brand new roster to try and make their way through a rugged schedule.

Carteret's Sarah Androvich takes a cut during a 2008 game; after a breakout season as a freshman, the Ramblers all-county catcher missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Top newcomers: Sarah Androvich (Jr. C); Isley Perez (Jr. OF); Taylor Setar (Jr. OF); Deanna Smith (Jr. OF); Shaina Negron (So. OF); Kati Golino (Fr. C/IF); Megan Klecha (Fr. IF/P); Giselles Perez (Fr. OF/1B); Rebecca Welch (Fr. C/IF)Outlook: With the battery of ace Mickley and star catcher Androvich reunited after a knee injury wiped out Androvich’s sophomore campaign, the Ramblers have a good base to build around as they try to get back to the level they were at in 2008 when they won a sectional title. Irving is the only other other senior on the roster besides Mickley, while Thomas and Senyszyn return to the lineup after strong freshman debuts.

Head coach: Maureen Gallagher, first seasonLast season: 8-11Returning player: Allison Riche (Sr. IF/OF)Top newcomers: Megan Kress (So. 2B); Crystal Carlucci (Fr. P/OF); Jessica Fernandez (Jr. OF); Rebecca Schmidt (Jr. 3B); Lindsay Frost (So. SS)Outlook: With the retirement of longtime coach Nancy Cuntala and the graduation of just about everyone, it may be not be the smoothest season in Iselin. There are no returning varsity starters, and only Riche is back from last year’s roster. Carlucci takes over in the circle, while the sophomore tandem of Kress and Frost will anchor the infield up the middle.

MONROE

Head coach: Keith Hudak, eighth seasonLast season: 15-6Returning players: Courtney Baron (Sr. SS); Morgan Widener (Sr. OF); Samantha Tallarine (Sr. C); Brittany Scott (Sr. IF); Brianna Davidson (Jr. IF); Brittnie Felice (Jr. IF); Jenna Pritzlaff (So. OF); Alexa Carini (So. P)Top newcomers: Holly Marino (So. P); Julianne Dinsmore (So. OF); Jamie Mazza (So. OF); Christina Felice (So. IF); Morgan Schweitzer (Fr. OF)Outlook: Young pitchers come along all the time in high school softball and shine, and if that happens for the Falcons with Carini and Marino, they should have to lineup for another successful season. Baron and Widener were two of the better hitters in the pitching-heavy White last year, and should lead a strong lineup. The biggest loss to overcome is that of do-it-all pitcher Andrea Carini, Alexa’s older sister.

NORTH BRUNSWICK

Head coach: Sarah Diller, 13th seasonLast season: 7-10Returning players: Lauren Fackleman (Sr. 1B/C); Michelle Pietrocola (Sr. P), Brianne Stockman (Sr. OF); Kim Capezza (Jr. 3B); Nicole Gibbons (Jr. OF); Daniella Franov (So. C); Alyssa Otero (So. 2B).Top newcomers: Marylynn Muldowney (Fr. SS); Kelsey Aloia (Fr. OF); Catherine Clark (Jr. OF); Amanda McCormick (Jr. OF/P); Kristen Ruffe (Jr. IF/C); Laura Curry (So. P); Emily Kurlander (So. IF)Outlook: The known quantity here is Pietrocola, who posted a 0.60 ERA and 227 strikeouts last year despite the losing record. Even as her team was held to a single run eight times last year, the county’s top returning pitcher still managed a 5-3 record in those games, so pitching shouldn’t be an issue. Hitting was what really held the Raiders back last spring, but with six other players back, Diller’s hope is that they can make enough strides in the batter’s box to make some noise outside of it.

SAYREVILLE

Head coach: Christa DeLucia, fifth seasonLast season: 6-11Returning players: Jen Pollard (Sr. 1B); Katie Dovidauskas (Jr. OF); Kristen Fitzsimmons (So. P/OF); Krystal Pearson (So. 3B/P); Sam Amato (So. C/3B)Top newcomers: Christina Lisa (Fr. OF); Jackie Nunes (Fr. IF); Kaitlyn Passerati (Fr. IF)Outlook: Somebody had to finish last in the GMC’s deepest division a year ago, and the Bombers drew the short straw. With a solid returning core, they should have a good chance to move out of the basement and up a few rungs. Just how high they go will fall on the shoulders of sophomore pitchers Fitzsimmons and Pearson, who will try and replace the graduated Alexa Baldessare.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD

Head coach: Don Panzarella, 29th seasonLast year: 22-3Returning players: Kristie Crilley (Sr. 1B); Katie Muglia (Sr. 3B); Bissy Martin (Sr. CF); Liz Gratta (Jr. SS/2B/P); Bianca DiDolce (Sr. P)Top newcomers: Jamie Quail (2B/SS); Jessica Jazikoff (Jr. C); Brittany Alvarado (Sr. OF); Lauren Conrad (Jr. OF); Stephanie Nieves (Sr. OF); Meghan McMahon (Jr. 2B/OF); Samantha Maiorino (Sr. P); Tyler Stranzenbach (So. DH)Outlook: The defending North 2 Group III and GMC White Division champs are counting on a core group of returning starters and the infusion of younger players to continue the program’s success. With first-team All-Area hurler Alyssa Sutherland having graduated, the biggest question mark will be in the circle, where Gratta and DiDolce will both see time. Neither pitcher has done any regular varsity pitching, though DiDolce did pitch for the freshman team before both moved to the varsity outfield as sophomores. The nucleus of the team is back, including Crilley and Muglia, who were both All-Area last season, as well as Martin, who hit .308.

About Mike New

Mike New is former writer at the Home News Tribune, having covered Middlesex County softball in 2009 and 2010. A 2008 graduate of Rutgers University, he served as sports editor and managing editor of The Daily Targum. Now an assistant in the publishing world, he has returned to In the Paint and will be a weekly contributor on Sundays.

I couldn’t tell you about last year, but I know the coach is new this year, so I’d cut her a little slack … you’re more than welcome to ask the coach to send me any additions she feels are warranted, and I’ll add them here.

not blaming the new coach she’s great!, but there were a few girls not mentioned. i guess the final decision has not been made. i can tell you that there are a few deserving girls besides Sawler that were not mentioned at all.